John Powers

Critic-at-Large John Powers looks at a new Criterion edition DVD of the 1932 Jean Renoir film Boudo Saved From Drowning.

Critic-at-large John Powers comments on the history of roles for offbeat women in Hollywood. Powers recently saw the hit film The 40-Year-Old Virgin and got to thinking about the actress Catherine Keener, who co-stars.

While Harry Potter has grown to become a huge a marketing event, the book series is still, at its heart, a literary event. Critic-at-large John Powers considers kids today lucky to have that experience. He compares it to his experiences purchasing and reading the Hardy Boys mysteries as a child.

Critic-at-large John Powers says that two current blockbusters, Batman Begins and War of the Worlds, are deeply influenced by America's post-Sept. 11 obsession with terrorism.

Critic-at-large John Powers reflects on the end of the Michael Jackson child molestation trial.

Critic at large John Powers has been watching the HBO show Entourage -- about a handsome young movie star and his buddies -- and has some thoughts on the way the rich and powerful are often protected from reality.

It has been an eventful 11 days in Cannes, France, where the annual Cannes Film Festival wrapped up over the weekend. One surprise was first-time director Tommy Lee Jones, whose The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada won him top honors as best actor. The festival also included early showings of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

Critic-at-large John Powers tells us about the Japanese TV animated series Paranoia Agent by Satoshi Kon. It's now out on DVD.

Critic-at-large John Powers has some thoughts on wine, and globalization after watching the documentary Mondovino by Jonathan Nossiter.

Critic-at-large John Powers considers March Madness and the NCAA tournament.